Christchurch is a diverse city, with representatives of many religions. We aim here to collect useful and up-to-date information about how to contact and interact with different religious communities and believers.
Please contact us if you see anything that needs correcting, if you'd like to help us improve our information, or if there's something you'd like us to find out for you.
The Baha'i Faith is a recent world religion which began in Iran in 1844. Baha'i teachings emphasise the unity of humanity and the need for a global civilisation.
The Baha'i Community in Christchurch has approximately 250 members. There is no temple, but services and community events are held at the Baha'i Centre in Spreydon, or in the homes of believers.
Baha'u'llah was the founder of the Baha'i Faith. Baha'is consider him to be a manifestation of God, and a divine teacher whose station is equivalent to the founders of other great world religions.
The Bab was a forerunner to Baha'u'llah. Baha'is consider his station to be equal to Baha'u'llah's, and Baha'u'llah was himself an early follower of the Babi religion. In the years following the Bab's martyrdom, almost all Babis became Baha'is.
Abdu'l-Baha was the son of Baha'u'llah, and centre of the Baha'i community following Baha'u'llah's death. Abdu'l-Baha is not considered a manifestation of God, but has a role as an exemplar of Baha'i behaviour and practice.
Shoghi Effendi was the grandson of Baha'u'llah, and Guardian of the Faith until his death in 1957. Since then, no single person has held a position of authority over the Baha'i Community. In the present day, its highest body is an elected council known as the Universal House of Justice.
Baha'is do not drink alcohol, and avoid foods that have been cooked in alcohol. They likewise abstain from mind-altering drugs unless they are specifically prescribed by a doctor.
Smoking is allowed, but discouraged.
Baha'is recite an obligatory prayer each day. There are three versions, and the two longer ones involve ablutions and turning towards the Baha'i Qiblih in Bahji, Israel where Baha'u'llah is buried. If these requirements cannot be completed conveniently, a shorter prayer may be substituted. Prayer may be spoken or silent.
Baha'is often use the greeting "Allah'u'abha" ("God is All-Glorious" in Persian) with other Baha'is. They generally avoid using it with non-Baha'is to avoid making them feel excluded, but it is perfectly appropriate for a non-Baha'i to greet a Baha'i this way.
Baha'is do not keep pictures of Baha'u'llah in their houses of community centres, to avoid the appearance of idol worship. Some keep photographs of Abdu'l-Baha, but they do not have any ritual significance.
Baha'is do not have specific clothing requirements, but dress moderately according to the customs of the societies in which they live. Women are not expected to wear veils or headscarves, but
Baha'is are generally comfortable attending services of other religions, and taking part in ceremonies that do not conflict with Baha'i teachings. They will usually avoid taking part in ceremonies that imply membership in another religion, such as taking communion in a Christian church.
Baha'is have no priesthood. Community organisation is conducted through elected Spiritual Assemblies at the local and national levels, with international authority vested in the Universal House of Justice, whose seat is in Haifa, Israel. If you need to communicate the Christchurch Baha'i Community for official purposes, it is appropriate to contact the Local Spiritual Assembly.
Baha'is are considered adults for religious purposes at the age of fifteen. Not all children of Baha'is become Baha'is themselves, as this is considered a matter of individual conscience.
Baha'is do not belong to political parties, and try to avoid situations where they might appear to belong to one political group or other.
After death, Baha'is are buried and not cremated, except under extreme circumstances. Bodies should not be buried within an hours' travel of the place of death. This teaching may sometimes conflict with other cultural practices such as the Maori tradition of burial close to the place of birth. Such cases may involve some negotiation with the family of the deceased.
Baha'is are instructed to "Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship." They believe that the great world religions all worship the same God through different names and practices, as were appropriate for the times and societies in which they began. The Baha'i Faith is no greater than other religions, but Baha'is consider that its relatively recent appearance makes it especially relevant to the present day.
Unitarian-Universalists have their roots in the CHristian faith, but salute the great world religions and philosophies. They hold that the spirit of love embraces all the members of the human family.
Unitarian-Universalists affirm
For more information, phone 3849099, or visit www.anzua.org